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Ernie Hays Obituary

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Ernie Hays, an organist who was a fixture at St. Louis sporting events and provided the soundtrack of Cardinals baseball for four decades, has died, the team said Thursday.

The St. Louis native, who spent 40 seasons as the baseball team's organist, died Wednesday night at age 77. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called Hays "one of the premier sports organists in the country and a valued member of the Cardinals family."

A classically trained pianist, Hays also worked as organist for the St. Louis Blues hockey team, college sports teams and for professional soccer in St. Louis.

But he was best known for his work at both the old Busch Stadium and the new one, which opened in 2006. In addition to thousands of regular season games, his music was played at five World Series.

He began his sports music career when the Cardinals installed an organ in 1971. His version of "Here Comes The King," a Budweiser beer advertising jingle, soon became a staple at every game. He also was among the first organists to play individualized "walk up" songs as players went to bat, and introduction music for relief pitchers.

Hays retired from the Cardinals in 2010. By then, pre-recorded pop music and video had replaced much of Hays' performance.

Hays was born in St. Louis and began playing piano at age 7, the Cardinals said in a news release. His family later moved to Houston, Mo., where he graduated from high school. He majored in music at Drury College and Southwestern Missouri State University in Springfield (now Missouri State University).

He served in the Navy for four years before returning to St. Louis and earning an engineering degree from Washington University. He worked for many years as an engineering supervisor for the Bell Telephone System, much of that time while he was performing at sporting events at night.

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Ernie Hays, an organist who was a fixture at St. Louis sporting events and provided the soundtrack of Cardinals baseball for four decades, has died, the team said Thursday.

The St. Louis native, who spent 40 seasons as the baseball team's organist, died Wednesday night at age 77. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called Hays "one of the premier sports organists in the country and a valued member of the Cardinals family."

A classically trained pianist, Hays also worked as organist for the St. Louis Blues hockey team, college sports teams and for professional soccer in St. Louis.

But he was best known for his work at both the old Busch Stadium and the new one, which opened in 2006. In addition to thousands of regular season games, his music was played at five World Series.

He began his sports music career when the Cardinals installed an organ in 1971. His version of "Here Comes The King," a Budweiser beer advertising jingle, soon became a staple at every game. He also was among the first organists to play individualized "walk up" songs as players went to bat, and introduction music for relief pitchers.

Hays retired from the Cardinals in 2010. By then, pre-recorded pop music and video had replaced much of Hays' performance.

Hays was born in St. Louis and began playing piano at age 7, the Cardinals said in a news release. His family later moved to Houston, Mo., where he graduated from high school. He majored in music at Drury College and Southwestern Missouri State University in Springfield (now Missouri State University).

He served in the Navy for four years before returning to St. Louis and earning an engineering degree from Washington University. He worked for many years as an engineering supervisor for the Bell Telephone System, much of that time while he was performing at sporting events at night.

Guest Book Highlights

"As a child I remember what a good friend he was to my mother,Patricia Ann Emerson Hays,He is a Legacy,and every time my little girl plays her organ we will always think of him."- diann Hays Cavanaugh (Imperial, MO)

"The best in the business, period! Ernie Hays was as much about the Cardinals as Busch Stadium / Brock/ Gibson / Ozzie / Buck. He will never be replaced, only remembered and missed. RIP Ernie. Jeff Hall, Burleson, TX"- Jeff Hall (Burleson, TX)

"Ernie will be sorely missed. I definitely will miss his emails with jokes and comments! He was a master musician and would light up the Center for Spiritual Living with his music. My love and blessings to Loretta, his beautiful wife. Love, Rev...."- Marigene DeRusha (St. Louis, MO)

"My sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Hays. In remembrance of his service to his country: He said these words - SAILOR'S CREED I am a United States Sailor. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I..."- George Gemberling (USN-USAF-RET) (Yuba City, CA)

"I remember Ernie as a Class mate at Houston Mo. High School. A fun loving and very talented musician. I also moved to St. Louis after High School and lost track of Ernie until he started playing the organ for the Cardinals. His music lit up the..."- Bob Moore (Nixa,, MO)

Hays, Ernest Ernie M. of Maryland Heights, Missouri, died on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at the age of 77. Loving husband of Loreta G. Hays (nee: Heriford); beloved son of the late Milburn and Mary...
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